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Description
In Japan, hidden away from human eyes, is a colourful entertainment district known as Nyanko-cho. Many mousers and other felines of greatest import frequent the catnip tea houses there. And to help relieve their burdens of a hard day’s hunting and naps are the Maiko and Geiko (professional female cats groomed in the arts of dance, song, and conversation). Their nine lives are spent fine-tuning their skills in what has come to be known as “The Catnip and Pussy Willow World.” These are the tales of the Maiko and Geiko of the Nyaotaka okiya (geisha household).
Each cat that enters the profession of geisha takes a new name to reflect both her new life and her connection to those who have come before her. The cats of Siamese decent take names beginning with “Sho” and those of Mi-ke (calico) don names with “Ta.” Shotai's name means "invitation" or "introduction."

Shotai is both a second and a first for me. She is the second fully outfitted cat geisha I have made, and as for firsts: She is my first miniature cat doll as well as my first real foray into using washi paper for clothing. I am also happy with how relatively accurate her kimono came out. I tried to include all the different layers in the correct order. And I also modeled her wig after a real wig style. And since I did say she was miniature, I sppose I should tell you just how tiny she is (not including her base): 4.5 inches tall! That means my previous geisha, Shouren, is almost five times larger! This meant that finding bits for hair ornaments was really hard...
She was created for an event called "The HeArt of Giving" which is an art auction for charity. All proceeds benefit the Caracole House, an organization providing housing and assistance to those living with HIV/AIDS and their families. I do not know what her final bid as yet though. I'll post it when I find out!

Materials:
*Sculpey polymer clay for the paws, head, ears, and wig base
*Handmade Yuzen Washi paper for her kimono and wig
*assorted jewelry findings and Swarovski crystals for her kanzashi
*styrofoam pressed and wrapped for her body

Caracole House Website: [link]
Many thanks to Metronation to inviting me to participate in the auction and to Linda and Vicky at Paper Tree [link] in SF for helping me get the washi materials together on such short notice!

Description
In Japan, hidden away from human eyes, is a colourful entertainment district known as Nyanko-cho. Many mousers and other felines of greatest import frequent the catnip tea houses there. And to help relieve their burdens of a hard day’s hunting and naps are the Maiko and Geiko (professional female cats groomed in the arts of dance, song, and conversation). Their nine lives are spent fine-tuning their skills in what has come to be known as “The Catnip and Pussy Willow World.” These are the tales of the Maiko and Geiko of the Nyaotaka okiya (geisha household).
Each cat that enters the profession of geisha takes a new name to reflect both her new life and her connection to those who have come before her. The cats of Siamese decent take names beginning with “Sho” and those of Mi-ke (calico) don names with “Ta.” Shotai's name means "invitation" or "introduction."

Shotai is both a second and a first for me. She is the second fully outfitted cat geisha I have made, and as for firsts: She is my first miniature cat doll as well as my first real foray into using washi paper for clothing. I am also happy with how relatively accurate her kimono came out. I tried to include all the different layers in the correct order. And I also modeled her wig after a real wig style. And since I did say she was miniature, I sppose I should tell you just how tiny she is (not including her base): 4.5 inches tall! That means my previous geisha, Shouren, is almost five times larger! This meant that finding bits for hair ornaments was really hard...
She was created for an event called "The HeArt of Giving" which is an art auction for charity. All proceeds benefit the Caracole House, an organization providing housing and assistance to those living with HIV/AIDS and their families. I do not know what her final bid as yet though. I'll post it when I find out!

Materials:
*Sculpey polymer clay for the paws, head, ears, and wig base
*Handmade Yuzen Washi paper for her kimono and wig
*assorted jewelry findings and Swarovski crystals for her kanzashi
*styrofoam pressed and wrapped for her body

Caracole House Website: [link]
Many thanks to Metronation to inviting me to participate in the auction and to Linda and Vicky at Paper Tree [link] in SF for helping me get the washi materials together on such short notice!